Got a Happy Ending With My Ex’s Sister? (GL) - Chapter 9: Gift

Chapter 9: Gift

Because Director Chen mentioned it, Shi Huan was excited on the night of the 31st, quietly anticipating midnight, hoping to ring in the new year with Tang Yiqiu.

She didn’t directly ask if Tang Yiqiu had time. Instead, she watched a drama Tang Yiqiu starred in two years ago, a palace intrigue where she transformed from a naive court lady to a powerful empress dowager.

The moment Tang Yiqiu, in a golden robe, sat on the dragon throne, Shi Huan felt like one of the subjects at her feet, submitting to her.

But unlike those subjects, Shi Huan had ulterior motives, coveting Tang Yiqiu’s bed, yearning to be her favored consort.

With ten minutes to midnight, Shi Huan kept opening their chat, staring at the top left corner, hoping for a message.

Midnight came, and there was still no reply.

It was a psychological game—every waiting heart wants the other to speak first, to show vulnerability. Each second felt like her heart was frying in oil.

This wasn’t about “Happy New Year”; it was “I love you.”

That’s who Shi Huan was. She sent Tang Yiqiu a message, then sent red envelopes to Chang Qing and Liang Junli, joined the director’s group chat to grab red envelopes, and after all the chaos, Tang Yiqiu finally replied.

My Wife My Baby: [Thanks.]

Shi Huan: [Guess why I’m not asleep? I’m waiting for you. If you don’t wish me a happy new year, I won’t be happy all year!]

My Wife My Baby: [Happy New Year.]

Those four words hit her, and Shi Huan froze. She hadn’t expected Tang Yiqiu to actually say it. She fired off several more messages, itching to rush over and roll around on Tang Yiqiu’s bed.

Shi Huan: [Teacher Tang, why aren’t you talking again?]

Seconds later, a red envelope popped up. Shi Huan’s heart leaped, but her finger, poised to tap, pulled back.

Shi Huan: [I want your heart, your body, not your money! Don’t think you can buy me off with a red envelope!]

Shi Huan: [I don’t want a red envelope. I want a special prize, an extraordinary gift!]

My Wife My Baby: [Sleep early.]

Shi Huan: [You’re in my dreams. Tonight, I won’t hold back—I’ll do this and that to you, so I can have you all year.]

My Wife My Baby: [Goodnight.]

Shi Huan read the chat history over and over, growing happier each time. Seeing Tang Yiqiu’s “goodnight” before bed, she dreamed of her.

But in the morning, her head felt heavy, and her throat ached. Even a strong body couldn’t withstand winter’s cold.

Luckily, her scenes today were with supporting actors, requiring little voice, and the day’s filming wrapped quickly. At the end, Chen Ling messaged the group, inviting everyone for hotpot at 7 PM.

Shi Huan arrived early, finding only Chen’s assistant, who was discussing a venue change with the manager.

They’d booked a third-floor private room, but the assistant discovered another crew was dining there. Chen wanted a relaxed gathering, and two crews together might shift the vibe, so they moved to the first floor.

Shi Huan followed the assistant down, catching a familiar figure as the elevator descended. On the first floor, she picked a wall-side seat and played on her phone. Soon, the director and screenwriter joined her table.

The crew was large, filling eight tables. Key actors sat at one, while staff filled the rest.

When Tang Yiqiu and Ye Rong arrived, only two seats remained—one next to Shi Huan, one by Chen. Shi Huan glanced over, pretending to game but sneaking peeks to see Tang Yiqiu’s choice.

Before Tang Yiqiu could decide, Ye Rong swiftly took the seat by Shi Huan, leaving Tang Yiqiu to sit by Chen.

“Miss Shi, Happy New Year.”

“Same to you.” Shi Huan pocketed her phone, smiling. “Sister Ye, don’t call me Miss Shi. Shi Huan or Huanhuan’s fine.”

“Sure, Huanhuan it is.” Ye Rong said, “Huanhuan, any plans for the future, like what kind of scripts you want?”

The future felt distant. Shi Huan was more worried about being blacklisted. “I’ll follow the company’s arrangements. This drama’s just started.”

Ye Rong shook her head. “Your agent should’ve planned your path from day one. Speaking of, where’s your agent?”

Liang Junli managed several artists. Recently, one joined a variety show, paired with a trending idol, doing well, so Liang was focused on that newcomer, neglecting Shi Huan.

The question was sensitive. Shi Huan tried changing the topic several times, but Ye Rong steered it back.

Ye Rong said, “Don’t be nervous. I mean no harm. You didn’t give me a chance to treat you to dinner last time, so I’m asking a bit more.”

Shi Huan replied, “Sister Ye, you can be direct. Some questions are hard to answer because I haven’t dared think about them.”

As her smile faltered, Ye Rong cut to the chase. “I’ve seen your contract. You signed six years with Yizhong, now in year three. Breaking it means huge penalties, but staying might mean no way out.”

No way out was the best-case scenario. Yizhong wasn’t a kind company. Shi Huan still had some value, so they used her as a stepping stone, squeezing her commercial worth. Once the public accepted her “mistress” label, the remaining years would see the company exploit her in shadier ways.

Ye Rong said, “Shi Huan, I can help you, as long as you…”

Tang Yiqiu cut in, “Heard this place’s beef is a specialty. Want me to order more?”

Beef or not, Tang Yiqiu’s icy, deep gaze was a clear warning to Ye Rong to stop.

Everyone was curious. On the surface, Ye Rong wanted to help Shi Huan, which seemed good, so why did Tang Yiqiu object? But they were smart, guessing silently, their eyes darting between them, suspicions flying.

Chen Ling tapped his glass, showing displeasure. “We’re here for hotpot, not drama. I haven’t even mentioned the script, and you two are going at it.”

Ye Rong laughed first, pulling out her phone. “Huanhuan, let’s add each other on WeChat. We can chat there when we have time.”

Shi Huan was still processing what “help” meant. Ye Rong’s phone was already in her face, forcing her to add her.

Nervously, she scanned Ye Rong’s code, noticing Tang Yiqiu watching her, her narrow eyes cold and squinting.

After adding Ye Rong, Shi Huan looked back, but Tang Yiqiu had looked away, picking at vegetables, expressionless, as if it was all Shi Huan’s imagination.

“Huanhuan, you’re still sick. Don’t eat too spicy, stick to the clear broth later,” Wen Jing called from the next table, snapping Shi Huan back. She pocketed her phone, nodding at Ye Rong.

Once the food arrived, Ye Rong stood, saying she had friends in the third-floor crew and would go say hi, returning later.

Shi Huan sighed in relief, sneaking glances at Tang Yiqiu, who ate slowly, leaving her confused. What was that about? How did Ye Rong plan to help her?

Most importantly, why did Teacher Tang stop her?

Chen Ling raised his glass for a toast. Shi Huan poured some wine. The hotpot restaurant was steamy, and Tang Yiqiu glanced at her.

It felt like she was saying to drink less.

Drink less? Shi Huan, excited, downed a glass, her head buzzing as she grinned at Tang Yiqiu.

Everyone was unwinding, downing three bottles of wine with no sign of stopping. Since Shi Huan and Tang Yiqiu were under the weather, no one pushed them to drink, leaving them the only sober ones in a tipsy crowd.

The restaurant was warm, and their exchanged glances spread heat. Overwhelmed, Shi Huan lowered her head to tug at her zipper.

As she pulled it down slightly, Tang Yiqiu’s voice sounded. Shi Huan looked up to see her sitting in Ye Rong’s empty seat.

Tang Yiqiu repeated, “Don’t take it off.”

“Why not?” Shi Huan’s ears tingled. Did Tang Yiqiu not want others to see her undress? Was she special to her?

Tang Yiqiu didn’t answer, just gave her a stern look, like a strict principal forbidding any misstep.

“I’m hot.” Shi Huan toyed with the zipper, teasing, “Everyone’s taking stuff off. Why can’t I?”

“You’re different from them.” Tang Yiqiu said, turning to call the waiter, handing over the menu to add items.

Shi Huan’s eyes sparkled. Didn’t that confirm her guess? She was special to Tang Yiqiu!

“Teacher Tang, are you possessive, not wanting me to undress in front of others? Say yes, and I won’t!”

“No. Others take off one piece. You…” Tang Yiqiu glanced at her, eyes heavy. “You’d strip everything.”

Shi Huan blushed, protesting, “When have I stripped everything? You always kick me out before I can!”

Her voice was loud, but the drunken crowd didn’t notice. Tang Yiqiu said, “I’m stopping you now.”

Shi Huan deflated, her stirred heart souring. She zipped up silently, but the more she kept it on, the hotter she felt. Pouting, she grabbed chopsticks, deliberately eating meat from the spicy pot.

Soon, the waiter brought a bottle of juice. Tang Yiqiu poured two glasses, sliding one to Shi Huan. “To sober up?”

Shi Huan was still sulking, but the juice sparked joy. She pursed her lips. “You say drink, so I drink? Who’s like you, controlling everything, even my clothes?”

Tang Yiqiu looked at her steadily, not coaxing. She tapped the glass. “You’re drunk. Juice will help.”

Shi Huan’s tolerance was low, and she was tipsy. She eyed Tang Yiqiu’s legs, clad in casual black pants, looking empty when pressed together, turning a gentle style into rigid authority. Itching for revenge, she wanted to tease her.

With no one watching, Shi Huan scooted closer, talking to distract Tang Yiqiu while sneakily reaching out. “Feed me the juice, like in the scene, holding my chin.”

Just a centimeter away, Tang Yiqiu grabbed her wrist, slowly pulling her hand away, keeping her from those legs.

Shi Huan ground her teeth, turning the tables. “Teacher Tang, who’d have thought? You look all proper but sneakily touch my hand under the table, gripping it tight.”

As she spoke, something was slipped into her palm, warm, as if held for a while. Shi Huan looked down—a delicate purple box with a bow.

This was…

Tang Yiqiu calmly let go, sipping her freshly poured juice, acting like she hadn’t done anything.

Shi Huan stared at it, ensuring it wasn’t a drunken hallucination, then whispered, “Is this a gift for me?”

Tang Yiqiu said coldly, “Drink your juice.”